JCILPS to launch drive on non-local labourers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 01 2016 :
Decrying that labour laws which are otherwise applicable all over India are not implemented in Manipur, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has decided to launch a special drive against migrant labourers from tomorrow.
Speaking to media persons at their Tiddim Road office today, JCILPS convenor Khomdram Ratan said that migrant workers should work in the State in compliance with the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of employment and Conditions of Services) Act 1979 .
Firms/companies/agents which bring in migrant workers to the State should ensure that all the migrant workers are registered with the Labour Department and the department should issue licences only to the registered migrant workers.
Migrant workers who do not possess licences should not be allowed to work in the State.
The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008 is another labour law and it deals with unorganised workers who migrate to different places in search of work on their own.
The Act says that they (unorganised workers) should bring identity cards issued by the authorities of their home districts In accordance with these provisions, JCILPS together with its women wing would start checking whether migrant workers possess valid identity cards or not.
JCILPS held a meeting with Labour Minister I Hemochandra and officials of Labour Department on the same matter on March 8 this year.
This was followed by another meeting with the DGP on March 31 .
Strict implementation of labour laws is one of the six points agreed between JCILPS and the State Government but the same point has not been translated into action till date.
There have been many instances of migrants committing crimes in the State.
A representation has been submitted to the State Government on the matter but to no avail so far, Ratan decried.
Lamenting that the State Government has been literally sleeping over the three Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly for protection of indigenous people of the State, the convenor urged the Chief Minister to lead an all -party delegation to the Centre and seek due assent of the Central Government.
He further demanded implementation of the agreement signed on August 15, 2015 .
Migrant population in Manipur has crossed 10 lakh according to the 2011 census report.
Categorically stating that no non-local people should contest the IMC election, Ratan demanded deletion of non-local people from the State's electoral list.
A team of JCILPS went to Jiribam on March 20 and 21 and the foreigners' check post was found almost defunct.
Informing that Thongam Apabi has been elected new convenor of JCILPS Women Wing, Ratan said that they would meet political leaders of different parties one after another very soon.
He then appealed to all the people who sustained injuries in the course of the mass movement for enaction of law similar to ILPS to submit documents/photographs so that JCILPS can extend whatever assistance it can provide.